Crops Flashcards
How many acres?
658 of tillable acres
Corn - 150 acres
Dry corn - 175
alfalfa - 195
soybean - 128
wheat - 33
grass for dry bales - 22
What family does corn belong to?
Zea mays
what are the 3 forms of corn feed used?
- Corn silage
- Dry corn
- High moisture corn
when is corn planted in rotation?
it is planted after alfalfa in the same field for 3-4 years depending on crop yield & quality.
What nutrients do corn require the most ?
nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium
talk about soil sampling?
the Radue’s get their soils sampled every year in a rotational system meaning each field will be tested once every three years. They select to test for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter & pH levels on their soil to plan for nutrient & fertiliser management.
Cultivation & seedbed prep for Corn?
The land is ploughed using a chisel plough in Autumn to a depth of 6-8 inches after spreading slurry.
It is then left until Spring where we go in with a vertical disk to level out the land, this goes 2 inches deep.
How much corn is sown to the acre?
30,000 seeds of corn per acre
How is Corn sown?
Corn is sown using a corn sower at 30,000 seeds to the acre sown at a depth of 1.5-2 inches. When the weather is ideally 10 degrees Celsius. Once sown start up fertiliser is spread at a rate of 100 pounds per acre.
What is the ideal temperature for sowing corn?
10 degrees Celsius
how far does a vertical disk go into the ground?
2 inches
What rate & depth is Corn sown at and when?
30,000 seeds per acre at a depth of 1.5-2 inches sown in May when it is 10 degrees celsius.
During what growth stage should herbicides be applied to Corn?
Vegetative stage 6 (V6)
It is a good time to spread potential herbicides as there is criticial nutrient uptake at this time.
When should you apply nitrogen to Corn?
Anytime between V5-V12 nitrogen should be applied to corn. Once the corn has grown to be 3ft tall apply another round of nitrogen.
what rates should starter fertiliser be applied to corn at?
starter fert is applied at the rate of 100 pounds per acre
When should you apply the second round of fertiliser to corn?
Once the corn has reached 3 ft in height another round of nitrogen is applied, in a 2x2 spacing next to the seed.
What herbicide is required for Corn and why?
Glyphosate & Dicambia are applied to the corn on the farm and to over half of all the corn planted in the USA for weed control.
Example of an invasive weed with Corn?
The giant ragweed. A mix of glyphospate & Dicambia prevent the giant rag weed.
What pests affect corn?
Cut & root worms. havent had an issue for 3+ years so not spraying against them anymore.
Why/when is fungicide applied to corn?
Fungicide is applied in early August if there is signs of Northern Corn Leaf blight. They havent had issues for 3+ years so they dont apply unless required.
When is corn silage harvested & how is it stored?
corn silage is harvested in Autumn. The entire plant minus the end 8 inches goes into the chopper & is chopped to about 3/4inches in length. A roller then compresses the corn kernels so it is available to the papillae in the stomach.
Stored in a pile at 62-70% moisture/
What is the ideal moisture for storage of corn silage?
62-70%
What moisture % is high moisture corn harvested at?
30% moisture
How is high moisture corn harvested & stored?
harvested at 30& moisture. ground up very fine in a grinder before being stored in an ag bag.
why is dry corn used?
It is used as a starch energy source in the cows diet. It also ups the butterfat production.
What is the ideal dry corn moisture levels?
15% moisture when ground down
How is dry corn harvested?
Dry corn is harvested the same as high moisture. It generally has a moisture content of 20-23% & it is then sent to the mill for drying to 15%, it is stored at the local mill for a charge of 8c per bushel.
What are the crop returns for Corn?
20-22 tonne per acre.
What use does soybeans have?
protein source in feed - soybean is 48% protein
When is soybean planted in a crop rotation?
after corn
what percentage protein does soybean bring to the feed?
40% protein in the feed
When do you sow soybean?
Mid May-Early June
using a drill 1 inch into soil, 7 inches apart
Roller follows after
What herbicide is used on Soybeans?
pre-emergence is used
What pests/disease affect soybeans??
No diseases or pesticides used.
There is spider mites that eat the leaves but no hassle with them.
Harvest with Soybeans?
Combined in late Sept/Early Oct.
When the beans are 13-14% moisture.
stored in the mill for 8 c per bushel.
Crop returns on soybeans?
Can range from 40-80 bushels an acre. 55 bushels per acre is their average.
How does Alfalfa contribute to animal feed?
used instead of our grass silage.
19-24% protein
7% fibre
When is alfalfa planted in a rotation?
after corn. nitrogen & potassium required
Wha fert is applied to Alfalfa?
Pot ash for pottasium
What pest affects alfalfa?
potato leaf hopper
When do you sow alfalfa?
April. drill 6 inches apart 1/2 an inch deep. 18-20 pounds to an acre.
When do you harvest alfalfa?
you have to get it pre-emergence. then cut every 28 days 4-5 times. around 3rd of may. RFQ 160-170
What are crop returns on alfalfa?
5-6tonnes of DM a year. $200 per tonne
When is wheat planted in the crop rotation?
after 4 years of alfalfa. Using the no till method in autumn drilled directly on top of old alfalfa & rolled
What fertiliser is used for Wheat?
slurry & 200lbs of urea
What herbicide is used on Wheat?
2-4D herbicide. No pesticides.
When is wheat harvested?
July. Late this year from the wet weather.
Ideal 13-14% moisture.
Straw bailed.
What are the crop returns on wheat.
Avg of 80 bushels per acre at $5 a bushel.
